what myofascial release can help
Once we understand the nature of the fascial network, how it functions and how fascial dysfunction can affect the entire structure, we can begin to understand how symptoms, pain, imbalance and dysfunction develop. In many cases, traditional healthcare focuses on the symptom and where the pain is, then labels the dysfunction. For many people this does not offer an effective solution.
MFR is used around the world as part of a treatment and rehabilitation approach in both complementary health and traditional healthcare settings.
Our MFR therapists regularly work with sports people, athletes, dancers, performers, musicians as well as those who work demands a level of physical activity and repetitive and/or sedentary positioning.
Please call us for information on how MFR therapy can help you.
Click here for a link to the John F. Barnes MFR Treatment Centers and Seminars for what MFR can help and testimonials.
Chronic myofascial pain syndrome and trigger point pain
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a painful musculoskeletal condition that is characterised by the development of Myofascial trigger points.
Fibromyalgia and MPS are common diagnoses of unresolved pain and discomfort. Research and treatment of these painful conditions heighten the need for appropriate training and treatment of the myofascial system.
Many chronic pain conditions are caused by Myofascial trigger points.
A trigger point is a hyper irritable spot located in a taught band of skeletal muscle. When the muscle is in a state of traumatic dysfunction (poor posture, injury or inflammation) the hyper irritable trigger point will produce a local pain and also pain in a referred pattern. These patterns have been extensively researched and mapped by Dr Janet Travell and Dr David Simons, authors of Myofascial Pain and Discomfort, The Trigger Point Manual. Patients may have regional, persistent pain resulting in a decreased range of motion in the affected muscles. Palpation of the trigger point will elicit pain directly over the affected area and/or cause radiation of pain toward a zone of reference sometimes creating a local muscular twitch response. Trigger points are also common causes of headaches, jaw pain, sciatica, sinusitis and low back pain.
Trigger points and MFR
Trigger point therapy is an approach used to find the hyper irritable spots that are creating the referred pain pattern and deactivate them by use of dry needling, vapo-coolant (stretch and spray) and the more common approach of ischaemic compression applied by the therapist’s fingers.
Whilst trigger point therapy is an effective treatment approach for the musculoskeletal pain caused by the trigger point it only treats the symptomatic trigger point and its refereed pain pattern, hence treating only the symptom but not the cause. Trigger point therapy can be very painful to receive and may only produce limited results as the reason for the trigger point formation is not being addressed. For those therapists using digit ischaemic 
compression, application of this treatment can also be debilitating.
compression, application of this treatment can also be debilitating. A trigger point is a symptom of a fascial restriction and functional and structural imbalance that occurs when a muscle becomes dysfunctional. Trigger points can be irritated by inappropriate compression thus, for some patients, making trigger point therapy an ineffective and unnecessarily painful treatment. Unless the reason for the trigger point formation is addressed then the trigger point will manifest once again causing further distress, pain and discomfort. Myofascial release is regularly used as an effective treatment that not only deactivates the trigger point but also releases the fascial restrictions throughout the body that harbour them.
Post surgery and injury scarring.
Many people suffer after an injury or surgery from the pulling of adhesions or scarring. Sometimes the pain from the adhesions are as painful and uncomfortable as the pre surgery condition with many women suffering in silence from mastectomy, breast reconstructon and implant surgery. Woman who have survved cancer can be left with the physical and emotional scars that can hinder normal daily activity and mobility.
Scars are thicker and more dense than normal tissue and are not just superficial but lie deep within each layer of tissue that was cut in order to perform the surgery. Scars lack circulation and hydration and can create an overwhelming pull as the scar tissue creeps incidiously throughout the lines of pull. Many breast cancer patients develop lymphedema, fatigue, chest complaints, shallow breathing, lack of movement in their arms, head and neck and a feeling of drag, weight and pull around their back and neck.
Please call 0141 956 4174 to see how MFR can help you.